GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION

A draft resolution on the Global Conference on the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States (A/C.2/49/L.37) was
first tabled by Algeria, on behalf of the G-77 and China, on 22
November 1994. After additional consultations, a revised version
of the draft (A/C.2/49/L.37/Rev.1) was tabled on 1 December 1994,
with the additional co-sponsorship of: Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United
Kingdom.

The Second Committee took action on L.37/Rev.1 on Friday, 9
December 1994. A number of countries questioned the programme
budget implications (PBI) of the resolution, as contained in
document A/C.2/49/L.60. Algeria, on behalf of the G-77, said that
the posts requested to carry out the responsibilities of the SIDS
unit within the DPCSD (two professional-level positions (one P-5
and one P-4) and one general service position) are not on a par
with the importance of the tasks to be allocated. He proposed
that a director-level position (D-1) be called for to fulfill the
functions of the post. Trinidad and Tobago, on behalf of AOSIS,
echoed this concern. Germany, on behalf of the EU, said that
adoption of this resolution will be a step forward in the
implementation of the Programme of Action, however, all
activities must be cost-effective. The PBI should be reconsidered
because it is not sufficiently cost-effective. The Chair noted
that this matter would be taken up by the Fifth Committee of the
General Assembly, which is reponsible for budgetary matters.

Before the resolution was adopted, the US commented that with
implementation of the Conference barely underway, it is premature
to discuss another follow-up Conference. As a result, the US
cannot co-sponsor this resolution. Nevertheless, the US will
continue to pursue its coral reef initiative and other efforts
aimed at implementing the Programme of Action. After the
Committee adopted the resolution, Trinidad and Tobago, on behalf
of AOSIS, thanked delegates for adopting this resolution by
consensus and reiterated AOSIS"s commitment to implementing the
Programme of Action. He called for continued support from the
international community. The resolution and the PBI are expected
to be adopted by the Plenary of the General Assembly after the
Fifth Committee approves the PBI. Although the PBI may be
amended, the resolution (L.37/Rev.1) should not change.

The operative section of the resolution notes the report of the
Conference and the summary of the high-level segment and endorses
the Declaration of Barbados and the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. The
resolution calls upon Governments, as well as the UN system and
other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, to
implement all commitments reached and recommendations made at the
Conference and to take the necessary action to give effective
follow-up to the Programme of Action, including ensuring the
necessary means of implementation.

With regard to the activties of the UN system, the resolution:

welcomes the progress made by the FAO, UNCTAD, UNEP, the UN Centre for Human Settlements, UNDP and the WMO in identifying focal points and other similar mechanisms to coordinate the action they are taking to implement the Programme of Action;

invites UNDP to continue to carry out its mandate as the lead agency in organizing the efforts of the UN system towards capacity-building at the local, national and regional levels;

invites UNDP to initiate the implementation of the technical assistance programme (SIDS/TAP) by preparing a directory and to undertake further consultation with SIDS and other interested parties to determine the most effective means of implemenation of SIDS/TAP; and

invites UNDP to coordinate further inter- and intraregional consultations between technical experts of SIDS and other interested States, agencies and organizations to further elaborate the information network (SIDS/NET) and determine the most effective means of implementing it, taking into account SIDS/TAP and the Programme of Action.

The resolution also calls on the Commission on Sustainable
Development to:

make arrangements for monitoring and reviewing, in a distinct and identifiable manner, and in the context of its multi-year thematic programme of work, the implementation of the SIDS Programme of Action;

carry out in 1996 an initial review of the progress achieved and steps taken to implement the Programme of Action; and

recommend, in the context of the overall review of Agenda 21 in 1997, specific modalities for a full review of the Programme of Action in 1999, including the question of convening a second global conference.

The resolution also requests the Secretary-General to enable
relevant regional commissions and UNCTAD to support activities to
coordinate the implementation of the Conference outcomes. The
Secretary-General is also asked to ensure the wide and effective
dissemination of the Programme of Action.

Finally, the resolution requests the Secretary-General to
establish within the Department of Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development a "clearly identifiable, qualified and
competent entity with the resources and number of professionals
and support staff that are necessary to undertake its broad range
of functions in support of the system-wide implementation of the
Programme of Action, relying on the most efficient and cost-
effective use of resources, in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph 123 of the Programme of Action."